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APPENDIX

Using CSOUND,

D MTU, IRCAM, BICSF,

and EBICSF Files

Although Sound Forge supports a large number of sound file formats directly, it does not support the CSOUND, MTU, IRCAM, BICSF or EBICSF file types. However, you can use the Raw File Type capabilities of Sound Forge to extract sound data from these file types.

About IRCAM files

The IRCAM or IRCAM-Gross format consists of a 1024-byte header prior to the audio data. This header contains standard information like the number of channels, sampling rate, and data format, but can also contain the name of the sample and comments. This format is used by the MTU system and these files are frequently referred to as MTU files. IRCAM files support two types of data formats: 16-bit linear PCM and floating point data.

About BICSF and EBICSF files

BICSF and EBICSF files (Berkeley/IRCAM/CARL Sound File or Extended BICSF) are extensions of the IRCAM format. Instead of using the standard IRCAM header, these files replace the first 28 bytes of the header with a standard NeXT/Sun header. This allows the IRCAM format to store additional information in its 1024-byte header, while also allowing the files to be read by software that supports the NeXT/Sun file format, such as Sound Forge.

Opening files

BICSF and EBICSF files

When reading BICSF and EBICSF files, Sound Forge identifies them as NeXT/Sun files. This is because the header of the BICSF file has been modified to allow it to be read as a NeXT/Sun file. Sound Forge reads these files as long as they are in one of the supported NeXT/Sun data formats.

IRCAM, CSOUND and MTU files

To read these formats, users must import them as Raw data files. This is best accomplished by configuring the parameters in the Raw File Type dialog and saving them as presets. The Raw File import function allows these files to be opened providing they are stored in 16-bit linear format. Sound Forge does not open floating point format IRCAM files.

Opening an IRCAM file

1.From the File menu, choose Open. The Open dialog appears.

2.Specify Raw File from the Files of type drop-down list.

3.Select an IRCAM file to open and click OK. The Raw File Type dialog appears.

APPENDIX D

USING CSOUND, MTU, IRCAM, BICSF, AND EBICSF FILES